Faith & Insight: Though faith is shaken, remain steadfast

Watching the news lately is like watching an apocalyptic movie. People are being shot in the streets by their own governments, leaders are being removed, economies failing, missionaries murdered, major earthquakes, and unrest seems to be everywhere. Even in our own country demonstrations are taking place and spreading.

It is clear we are in a time of serious instability around the world and at home. I am reminded of the words of the writer of Hebrews.

Hebrews 12:25-29, "See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, 'Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.' Now this, 'Yet once more,' indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire."

When Peter was asked, "Men and brethren what shall we do?" he responded: Acts 2:38-42, "Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.' And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, 'Be saved from this perverse generation.' Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers."

In times of uncertainty we have an anchor for our souls and a rock for a firm foundation. Isaiah 28:16, "Thus says the Lord God: 'Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily.'"

Colossians 1:23, "If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister."

1 Corinthians 15:58, "Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."

Hebrews 6:19, "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the presence behind the veil."

This hope is a living hope and will sustain us in the most challenging of times. This hope is the very person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

• Pastor Leo Kruger of Valley Christian Fellowship is a member of the Carson Valley Ministers' Association.